BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic transmission which changes the speed
of rotation of an input shaft among multiple speeds to transmit the rotation to an
output shaft through a single planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set,
both provided between the input shaft and the output shaft.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] For automobile vehicle, there are known automatic transmissions in which elements
of a single planetary gear set coupled to an input shaft and elements of a compound
planetary gear set are coupled through plural clutches or fixed through brakes to
change the speed of rotation of the input shaft and transmit the rotation to an output
shaft. For example, an automatic transmission described in Japanese Patent Application
Publication No.
2006-161867 changes the speed of rotation of the input shaft in a range of 6 forward speeds and
1 reverse speed to output the rotation to the output shaft. In this automatic transmission,
the input shaft and the output shaft are axially supported by a transmission case,
and an intermediate member is axially supported on the input shaft rotatably relative
to the input shaft. One end of an intermediate shaft is fitted into and coaxially
supported by the intermediate member rotatably relative thereto, and the other end
of the intermediate shaft is coaxially supported by the output shaft rotatably relative
thereto. The single planetary gear set includes an input element (carrier) directly
connected to the input shaft, a fixed element (sun gear) fixed to the transmission
case, and a speed increasing element (ring gear) which increases the speed of rotation
of the input shaft. The speed increasing element is directly connected to the intermediate
member. The compound planetary gear set includes a first rotating element capable
of being coupled to the input element through a third clutch and being fixed through
a first brake, a second rotating element capable of being coupled to the intermediate
shaft through a second clutch and being fixed through a second brake, a third rotating
element directly connected to the output shaft, and a fourth rotating element capable
of being coupled to the input element through a first clutch.
[0003] However, in the conventional structure, since the second clutch is provided at the
side of the compound planetary gear set opposite to the single planetary gear set
in the axial direction, it is necessary to provide the intermediate shaft capable
of coaxially rotating relative to the input shaft. The intermediate member also needs
to be provided to couple the ring gear as the speed increasing element of the single
planetary gear set to the intermediate shaft along the axis of the input shaft. Thus,
the numbers of the torque transmitting elements arranged in the axial direction of
the input shaft are increased. In this structure, when an output rotation with a relatively
low rotational speed and high torque is input, especially in a diesel engine, allocated
torque for each part of the automatic transmission becomes large. In this case, it
is necessary to use clutches and brakes with high torque capacities, resulting in
increasing the size of the automatic transmission and hence making it difficult to
mount the automatic transmission on a vehicle, in other words, deteriorating the mountability
thereof on a vehicle.
[0004] Further, the first to third clutches are generally designed in such a manner that
a piston presses a friction plate through working oil to couple two members of the
3 clutches. Therefore, a structure can be considered, in which a piston chamber of
the first clutch is provided on the fourth rotating element side to make the allocated
torque small so that clutches and brakes with low torque capacities can be used. In
this structure, however, since the fourth rotating element rotates fast at the sixth
gear speed, excessive centrifugal pressure occurs in the piston chamber, which is
possible to impede the smooth action of the first clutch.
[0005] JP Patent No. 2006 161867 discloses all features of the preamble of claim 1 and is directed to solving the
problem of how to reduce sharing torque of each part of an automatic transmission,
reduce size of each part, and capacity of each friction engaging element. To this
end the reference proposes a first element of a double planetary gear connected with
an input element of a single planetary gear connected directly with an input shaft
through a third clutch or is fixed by first brake. A second element is connected with
a speed increasing element rotated by increasing speed of rotation of the input shaft
through a second clutch or is fixed by second brake. A third element is directly connected
with an output shaft. A fourth element is directly connected with an intermediate
shaft connectable with an input element through a first clutch. The intermediate shaft
is constituted by fitting one end into an intermediate member supported on the input
shaft to rotate relatively and connected directly with the speed increasing element
coaxially to prevent relative rotation, supporting the other end on the output shaft
coaxially, and forming a lubricating oil passage for supplying lubricating oil to
each part and a hydraulic fluid passage for supplying and discharging hydraulic fluid
into/from a hydraulic servo part of the first clutch in the intermediate member by
separating them from each other.
[0006] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/142880 is directed to a multi-speed automatic transmission improves transmission efficiency
by reducing drag loss due to high speed rotation of a freely rotating element of a
planetary gear set. An automatic transmission for a vehicle includes: an input path
of a first speed ratio, an input path which has a larger speed ratio than this input
path, a planetary gear set of four elements, wherein the four elements are a first
element, a second element, a third element, and a fourth element following an order
of elements on a speed diagram, a clutch transmitting a rotation of the input path
to the first element, a clutch transmitting the rotation from the input path to the
fourth element, a clutch transmitting a rotation from the input path to the first
element, a clutch transmitting the rotation from the input path to the second element,
a brake engaging the fourth element, a brake engaging the second element, and an output
member coupled with the third element. Accordingly, drag resistance is prevented from
increasing because no extremely high speed rotation of the freely rotating element
is generated, even when a speed is achieved using any combination of the engagement
elements.
[0007] U.S. Patent Publication No. 20067035744 is directed to a six-speed power train that includes a simple planetary gearset having
three operational elements and a compound planetary gearset having four operational
elements. Regarding the four operational elements of the compound planetary gearset,
two of them are variably connected to an input shaft where one of the two is variable
connected to a transmission case, another one always acts as an output element, and
the other one variably receives torque from the simple planetary gearset at a reduce
speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is
an object thereof to provide an automatic transmission capable of reducing allocated
torque for each part thereof and reducing the number of torque transmitting elements
while preventing clutches from rotating at high speed in vain to realize a compact
structure.
[0009] In order to attain the above object, according to the present invention, there is
provided an automatic transmission, which changes the speed of rotation of an input
shaft among multiple speeds to transmit the rotation to an output shaft through a
single planetary gear set and a compound planetary gear set, both arranged in a transmission
case. The single planetary gear set includes an input element coupled to the input
shaft, a fixed element fixed to the transmission case, and a speed increasing element
which increases the speed of rotation of the input shaft to transmit the rotation
to the compound planetary gear set. The compound planetary gear set includes four
rotating elements composed of a combination of plural planetary gears, wherein the
four rotating elements included in the compound planetary gear set are set as a first
rotating element, a second rotating element, a third rotating element, and a fourth
rotating element, respectively, in order of arrangement at spaces corresponding to
gear ratios in a velocity diagram, with the third rotating element coupled to the
output shaft. The automatic transmission further includes a first clutch which couples
the fourth rotating element to the input element in a releasable manner, a second
clutch which couples the second rotating element to the speed increasing element in
a releasable manner, a third clutch which couples the first rotating element to the
input element in a releasable manner, a first brake which fixes the first rotating
element to the transmission case in a releasable manner, and a second brake which
fixes the second rotating element to the transmission case in a releasable manner,
wherein the second clutch is arranged between the single planetary gear set and the
compound planetary gear set, and the first clutch and the third clutch are arranged
at the side of the compound planetary gear set opposite to the single planetary gear
set in an axial direction of the input shaft.
[0010] Further, in another aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the second
clutch should include a piston chamber which operates a friction plate to couple two
elements, and the piston chamber of the second clutch should be provided in a manner
linked with the speed increasing element of the single planetary gear set.
[0011] According to the automatic transmission of the present invention, as apparent from
a preferred embodiment to be described later, since the second clutch is arranged
between the speed increasing element of the single planetary gear set and the second
rotating element of the compound planetary gear set, the intermediate member and the
intermediate shaft in the conventional structure do not need providing, and this makes
it possible to minimize the allocated torque for each element. Further, not only can
the piston chamber of the second clutch be provided on the speed increasing element
side, but also the third clutch is arranged at the side of the compound planetary
gear set opposite to the single planetary gear set in the axial direction of the input
shaft, so that a piston chamber of the third clutch can be provided on the first rotating
element side, and this makes it possible to reduce the allocated torque for each element.
In addition, since the first clutch is also provided at the side of the compound planetary
gear set opposite to the single planetary gear set in the axial direction of the input
shaft, a piston chamber of the first clutch can be provided on the input element side
of the single planetary gear set, and this makes it possible to prevent the piston
chamber of the first clutch from rotating at high speed in vain.
[0012] Thus, according to the present invention, the allocated torque for each element can
be reduced, and the number of torque transmitting elements can be reduced while preventing
the clutches from rotating at high speed in vain, so that a compact automatic transmission
can be obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a skeleton diagram schematically showing an automatic transmission according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a velocity diagram of a compound planetary gear set in the automatic transmission
according the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a skeleton diagram schematically showing an
automatic transmission according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a velocity diagram of a compound planetary gear set in the automatic transmission
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic transmission 1 of the embodiment includes an input
shaft 3 axially supported inside a transmission case 2 so that it is rotatable therein,
and an output gear 4 arranged coaxially with the input shaft 3. The rotation of the
output gear 4 is transmitted to right and left drive wheels of a vehicle through an
output shaft and a differential gear (not shown). The input shaft 3 is a turbine shaft
of a torque converter (not shown), which is rotated by a power source such as an engine.
It should be noted that the automatic transmission 1 is approximately symmetrical
about its center line and the lower half part below the center line is omitted in
FIG. 1.
[0016] A single planetary gear set 5 for power input and a compound planetary gear set 6
for gear shifting are arranged in the transmission case 2. The single planetary gear
set 5 consists of a sun gear Sf, a pinion Pf which is brought into meshed engagement
with the sun gear Sf, a ring gear Rf which is brought into meshed engagement with
the pinion Pf, and a carrier Cf which supports the pinion Pf rotatably and revolvably.
In the embodiment, the carrier Cf is an input element coupled to the input shaft 3,
the sun gear Sf is a fixed element fixed to the transmission case, and the ring gear
Rf is a speed increasing element which increases the speed of rotation of the input
shaft 3 and outputs the rotation.
[0017] The compound planetary gear set 6 consists of a first sun gear Sr1, a second sun
gear Sr2, a ring gear Rr, a first pinion Pr1 which is brought into meshed engagement
with the first sun gear Sr1 and the ring gear Rr, a second pinion Pr2 which is brought
into meshed engagement with the second sun gear Sr2 and the first pinion Pr1, and
a carrier Cr which supports the first pinion Pr1 and the second pinion Pr2 rotatably
and revolvably.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a velocity diagram in which the rotational speeds of the four rotating
elements equipped in the compound planetary gear set 6 can be represented as straight
lines. In FIG. 2, the bottommost horizontal line indicates a rotational speed of "0",
the horizontal line right thereabove indicates a rotational speed of "1", and the
topmost horizontal line indicates a rotational speed of "1.56" obtained from the ring
gear Rf (speed increasing element) of the single planetary gear set 5 of the embodiment.
Four vertical lines Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are defined according to the gear ratios of
the compound planetary gear set 6 to indicate a first rotating element, a second rotating
element, a third rotating element, and a fourth rotating element in order from the
left. Here, the first rotating element corresponds to the first sun gear Sr1, the
second rotating element corresponds to the carrier Cr, the third rotating element
corresponds to the ring gear Rr, and the fourth rotating element corresponds to the
second sun gear Sr2.
[0019] In the embodiment, the ring gear Rr (third rotating element) of the compound planetary
gear set 6 is coupled to an output shaft (not shown) through the output gear 4. Further
included in the automatic transmission 1 are a first clutch C1 which couples the second
sun gear Sr2 (fourth rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 to the
carrier Cf (input element) of the single planetary gear set 5 in a releasable or uncouplable
manner, a second clutch C2 which couples the carrier Cr (second rotating element)
of the compound planetary gear set 6 to the ring gear Rf (speed increasing element)
of the single planetary gear set 5 in a releasable manner, a third clutch C3 which
couples the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating element) of the compound planetary
gear set 6 to the carrier Cf (input element) of the single planetary gear set 5 in
a releasable manner, a first brake B1 which fixes the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating
element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 to the transmission case 2 in a releasable
or unfixable manner, and a second brake B2 which fixes the carrier Cr (second rotating
element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 to the transmission case 2 in a releasable
manner.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the second clutch C2 is arranged between the single planetary
gear set 5 and the compound planetary gear set 6, and the first clutch C1 and the
third clutch C3 are arranged at the side of the compound planetary gear set 6 opposite
to the single planetary gear set 5 in the axial direction of the input shaft 3. Further,
in the embodiment, a piston chamber C2a of the second clutch C2 is provided in a manner
linked with the ring gear Rf (speed increasing element) of the single planetary gear
set 5, and a piston chamber C3a of the third clutch C3 is provided in a manner linked
with the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating element) of the compound planetary gear
set 6. A piston chamber C1a of the first clutch C1 is provided on the carrier Cf (input
element) side of the single planetary gear set 5. Though not shown in detail, each
of the clutches C1, C2, and C3 is to operate a friction plate by means of working
oil in each of the piston chambers C1a, C2a, and C3a in order to couple two elements,
respectively.
[0021] As apparent from the velocity diagram of FIG. 2, when the second sun gear Sr2 (fourth
rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 and the carrier Cf (input element)
of the single planetary gear set 5 are coupled by the first clutch C1, and the carrier
Cr (second rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 is fixed by the
second brake B2 to the transmission case 2, the rotational speed of the ring gear
Rr (third rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 becomes "1st", thus
establishing a first gear speed.
[0022] When the second sun gear Sr2 (fourth rotating element) of the compound planetary
gear set 6 and the carrier Cf (input element) of the single planetary gear set 5 are
coupled by the first clutch C1, and the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating element)
of the compound planetary gear set 6 is fixed by the first brake B1 to the transmission
case 2, the rotational speed of the ring gear Rr (third rotating element) of the compound
planetary gear set 6 becomes "2nd", thus establishing a second gear speed with a gear
ratio smaller than that of the first gear speed.
[0023] When the second sun gear Sr2 (fourth rotating element) of the compound planetary
gear set 6 and the carrier Cf (input element) of the single planetary gear set 5 are
coupled by the first clutch C1, and the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating element)
of the compound planetary gear set 6 and carrier Cf (input element) of the single
planetary gear set 5 are coupled by the third clutch C3, the rotational speed of the
ring gear Rr (third rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 becomes
"3rd", matching the rotational speed "0" of the bottommost horizontal line. Thus,
a third gear speed with a gear ratio smaller than that of the second gear speed is
established.
[0024] When the second sun gear Sr2 (fourth rotating element) of the compound planetary
gear set 6 and the carrier Cf (input element) of the single planetary gear set 5 are
coupled by the first clutch C1, and the carrier Cr (second rotating element) of the
compound planetary gear set 6 and the ring gear Rf (speed increasing element) of the
single planetary gear set 5 are coupled by the second clutch C2, the rotational speed
of the ring gear Rr (third rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6
becomes "4th", thus establishing a fourth gear speed with a gear ratio smaller than
that of the third gear speed.
[0025] When the carrier Cr (second rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set
6 and the ring gear Rf (speed increasing element) of the single planetary gear set
5 are coupled by the second clutch C2, and the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating
element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 and the carrier Cf (input element) of
the single planetary gear set 5 are coupled by the third clutch C3, the rotational
speed of the ring gear Rr (third rotating element) of the compound planetary gear
set 6 becomes "5th" , thus establishing a fifth gear speed with a gear ratio smaller
than that of the fourth gear speed.
[0026] When the carrier Cr (second rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set
6 and the ring gear Rf (speed increasing element) of the single planetary gear set
5 are coupled by the second clutch C2, and the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating
element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 is fixed by the first brake B1 to the
transmission case 2, the rotational speed of the ring gear Rr (third rotating element)
of the compound planetary gear set 6 becomes "6th", thus establishing a sixth gear
speed with a gear ratio smaller than that of the fifth gear speed.
[0027] When the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating element) of the compound planetary gear
set 6 and the carrier Cf (input element) of the single planetary gear set 5 are coupled
by the third clutch C3, and the carrier Cr (second rotating element) of the compound
planetary gear set 6 is fixed by the second brake B2 to the transmission case 2, the
rotational speed of the ring gear Rr (third rotating element) of the compound planetary
gear set 6 becomes "Rev", reversing the rotation. Thus, a reverse gear speed is established.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, in the automatic transmission 1 of the embodiment thus operating
in the above manner, since the second clutch C2 is arranged between the ring gear
Rf (speed increasing element) of the single planetary gear set 5 and the carrier Cr
(second rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6, the intermediate member
and the intermediate shaft in the conventional structure do not need providing, and
this makes it possible to minimize the allocated torque for each element.
[0029] Further, since not only the second piston chamber C2a of the clutch C2 can be provided
in a manner linked with the ring gear Rf (speed increasing element) of the single
planetary gear set 5, but also the third clutch C3 is arranged at the side of the
compound planetary gear set 6 opposite to the single planetary gear set 5 in the axial
direction of the input shaft 3, the piston chamber C3a of the third clutch C3 can
be provided in a manner linked with the first sun gear Sr1 (first rotating element)
of the compound planetary gear set 6, and this also makes it possible to reduce the
allocated torque for each element. Therefore, even when an output rotation with a
relatively low rotational speed and high torque is input like in a diesel engine,
since the allocated torque for each part of the automatic transmission 1 is small
and there is no need to increase the capacity of each of the clutches C1, C2, C3,
or the brakes B1, B2, the automatic transmission 1 can be made compact, thereby improving
mountability.
[0030] Further, since the first clutch C1 is also arranged at the side of the compound planetary
gear set 6 opposite to the single planetary gear set 5 in axial directions of the
input shaft 3, the piston chamber C1a of the first clutch C1 can be provided on the
carrier Cf (input element) side of the single planetary gear set 5. As a result, the
piston chamber C1a of the first clutch C1 can be made separate from the second sun
gear Sr2 (fourth rotating element) of the compound planetary gear set 6 that rotates
at high speed when the rotational speed of the ring gear Rr (third rotating element)
of the compound planetary gear set 6 is "6th", excessive centrifugal pressure does
not occur in the piston chamber C1a of the first clutch C1.
1. Automatikgetriebe, das die Drehzahl einer Eingangswelle (3) zwischen mehreren Gängen
wechselt, um die Drehung durch ein Einzel-Planetengetriebe (5) und ein Verbund-Planetengetriebe
(6), die beide in einem Getriebegehäuse (2) bereitgestellt sind, an eine Ausgangswelle
(4) zu übertragen wobei das Einzel-Planetengetriebe (5) einen Planetenradträger (Cf),
der mit der Eingangswelle (3) gekoppelt ist, ein Sonnenrad (Sf), das an dem Getriebegehäuse
(2) befestigt ist, und ein Hohlrad (Rf) aufweist,
wobei das Verbund-Planetengetriebe (6)
aus einem ersten Sonnenrad (Sr1), einem zweiten Sonnenrad (Sr2), einem Hohlrad (Rr),
einem ersten Ritzel (Pr2), das in verzahnten Eingriff mit dem ersten Sonnenrad (Sr1)
und dem Hohlrad (Rr) gebracht ist, einem zweiten Ritzel (Pr2), das in verzahnten Eingriff
mit dem zweiten Sonnenrad (Sr2) und dem ersten Ritzel (Pr1) gebracht ist, und einem
Träger (Cr) besteht, welcher das erste Ritzel (Pr1) und das zweite Ritzel (Pr2) drehbar
und umlaufend hält, wobei das Automatikgetriebe ferner aufweist:
eine zweite Bremse (B2), die den Träger (Cr) in einer lösbaren Weise an dem Getriebegehäuse
(2) befestigt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es ferner aufweist:
eine erste Kupplung (C1), die das zweite Sonnenrad (Sr2) in einer lösbaren Weise mit
der Eingangswelle (3) koppelt,
eine zweite Kupplung (C2), die den Träger (Cr) in einer lösbaren Weise mit dem Hohlrad
(Rf) des Planetengetriebes (5) koppelt,
eine dritte Kupplung (C3), die das erste Sonnenrad (Sr1) in einer lösbaren Weise mit
der Eingangswelle (3) koppelt,
eine erste Bremse (B1), die das erste Sonnenrad (Sr1) in einer lösbaren Weise an dem
Getriebegehäuse (2) befestigt,
wobei die zweite Kupplung (C2) zwischen dem Einzel-Planetengetriebe (5) und dem Verbund-Planetengetriebe
(6) angeordnet ist, und
wobei die erste Kupplung (C1) und die dritte Kupplung (c3) in einer Axialrichtung
der Eingangswelle auf der Seite des Verbund-Planetengetriebes (6) entgegengesetzt
zu dem Einzel-Planetengetriebe (5) angeordnet sind.
2. Automatikgetriebe gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei
die zweite Kupplung (C2) eine Kolbenkammer (C2a) umfasst, die eine Reibungsscheibe
betätigt, um zwei Elemente zu koppeln, und
die Kolbenkammer (C2a) der zweiten Kupplung (C2) in einer mit dem Hohlrad (Rf) des
Einzel-Planetengetriebes (5) verbundenen Weise vorgesehen ist.